And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the LORD and with men. – 1 Samuel 2:26 (NIV)

My oldest daughter is 11 years old now, and it amazing to me the immense and numerous changes that she has gone through.  She is a gracious, tender-hearted and humorous young woman and every day she gives me reasons to be proud of her.  It has been humbling to hear the good reports from teachers at school and church about her character and heart.  She is growing in stature and favor.

God asks us to do the same for Him – to grow in stature and favor and be more the person He desires us to be than we were the day before.  He wants us to grow and flourish and bear fruit.  He wants us to press on and press in to get closer to Jesus.  He desires his children be rooted in love, ready to bear fruit at His pleasure.  Watching this happen in the lives of our children is the great privilege of parenthood.

As my daughters get older, I will have to trust them more and more to make the righteous decisions they should.  It is one of joys of parenthood to watch them succeed and it is beyond measure to witness their unique personality being revealed through spiritual transformation.

Lord, thank you for the amazing people you have put in my life and allowed to call me father.  May I continually look for ways to lead them deeper into the depths of your love, grace and mercy.  Help me to give them what they need to make the righteous decision, and help them make it. Amen.